Self-reporting of ICT skills is subjective. However, ICT skills are measured based on whether an individual has recently performed certain activities that require different types of skill. The assumption is that performing these activities implies that one has a certain level of the required skills. Activities are grouped into five areas of digital skills: communication/collaboration; problem solving; safety; content creation; and information/data literacy.
Despite the importance of digital skills in leveraging ICTs for economic prosperity and social well-being, data remain very scant. Only 83 countries submit data, and rarely for all skill areas. Based on this limited dataset, skills linked to information/data literacy are the most prevalent, with a median of 56 per cent and an average that lies between 33 and 69 per cent for most countries. Communication/collaboration is the second most prevalent (median of 51). Problem solving (36), safety (34), and content creation (25) follow with much lower medians.
Another way to analyse these data is through the scope of skills reported in different countries. Among the 70 countries that provided data in at least three skills areas, 58 reported averages of at least 25 per cent in multiple areas, 32 reported averages of over 50 per cent in multiple areas and only two reported averages of over 75 per cent in multiple areas.
The relatively low level of skills in countries providing data contrasts with their high median share of overall Internet use, 87 per cent. This gap between individuals using the Internet and those with digital skills demonstrates that many may be using the Internet without being able to fully benefit from it or avoid its dangers.